The Storm Breed: The Rising Storm Anthology

Below is a collection of written documents recovered throughout Astria during the Period of Reclamation.

I've done my best to properly transcribe these documents into legible material in order to better understand the events preceding the Equestrian - Elysian War. As it would happen, during the course of this work, I came to fully understand Celestia's mental state during the war. Her actions now make sense to me.

Most of what follows will likely never make it into history books, but I find myself comforted by that fact. Large portions of this record contain the woeful personal experiences of those who faced Elysium's onslaught throughout history. In fact, most of the authors of more recent documents are likely dead. Some documents are from the citizens and leaders of kingdoms long gone, and are the last remaining remnants of that region's culture. I will do my best to preserve these.

I have done my best, but translation and research have limited my productivity. As such, these are but some of the letters from the front lines.

~ Penquill Yore, Former Head of the Canterlot Historical Society

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Document retrieved from an underground ruin in what was the ancient griffon kingdom of Aesir.

It seems to be a letter from one commander to another during their war with Elysium some five-hundred years ago.

Translation was difficult, but I managed. Date is unknown.

~ Penquill Yore

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The Ageless Foe moves one division north, along the Válin Mountains, and another approaches from the southeast, along the Vimur River. We've lost Ulfr in the battle at Myrkvior. They ready themselves for an attack on Vanaheim. In short, the war is lost. They have defeated us after just three years.

Send this message to King Domalde: Gone now are the days of our gods, my king. The Immortal Lord set his eyes upon us, and now comes our time to fall. In one month, they will be ready to lay siege to Vanaheim. I fear I will not join you in its defense, for I go with Baldr to face the Ageless Foe at Skriringssal. I will likely die.

I no longer pray or hope. Victory will not come to us. The count of our days has run its course, and now we throw ourselves upon our swords. I wish that you will fight and die, as I intend to. The Ageless Foe will take those that remain as slaves and soldiers, and make them force a similar fate onto another land. They will continue until all the world is theirs, for they see themselves as its rightful heirs. And, if none can stop them, then they have proven it true.

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Elysian records state that King Domalde did not fight and die during the Siege of Vanaheim. Instead, he surrendered the moment they busted through his palace door.

King Eventide ordered him beheaded atop the city's mound.

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Three documents given to me by a zebra that fled from Elysian custody shortly after arriving in Astria. The process of translating this was made much easier thanks to the help of another zebra (Zecora, I think her name was). Even though it seemed highly stressful for her, she sat with me and explained the contents in detail.

From what I understand, these are some of the earlier documents concerning Elysium's presence in Uwana during the Zebra's war with the empire. They seem to have been written by a young mare as a message to her love, a warrior.

~ Penquill Yore

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[Letter #1]

The Idube are worried, Khulu. You left the village two moons ago, and we haven't heard a word.

There are tales being whispered. Some say that the Khonto tribe was destroyed in a single day. Is it true?

[Letter #3]

I can see their fire on the horizon. The Idube have left the village. They said the Ekwensu are coming and could not be stopped. Fikile said you were probably already dead. I told her the Ekwensu could not kill you. She did not listen, but fled with the others.

I am afraid now, Khulu. Every night the lights grow closer.

[Letter #4]

I saw them, Khulu. I saw the Ekwensu.

They burned down the village, Khulu. My love, our home is destroyed. They have taken our home from us.

The Idube want to enter unto igommuo with the Ekwensu. But after all they have done, I cannot abide this.

I am leaving, Khulu. I will go somewhere far away from the Ekwensu. Somewhere they dare not follow. But do not worry or cry, for I will search for you one day. I will find you.

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According to this--and several other corresponding documents--various tribes attempted to negotiate with the alicorn. Only those that gave up their land and warriors were said to have succeeded.

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This next document was an excellent find, and was given to me by Princess Cadance.

It dates back 2,000 years, to the time of Elysium's war with the Vespera Alliance, and was written by King Eventide himself. How this document made it into the Princess's hands, or how it ever left Caelum, I'll never know. But I'm not going to question it. This piece is very important, as it reveals Eventide's religious views and how they related to Elysium's campaign, and all but confirms every scholar's suspicion that the king's sanity had failed him long ago.

It's quite chilling.

~ Penquill Yore

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The blood moon.

Last night, the very heavens themselves proved my path to be the True Way. They called down to their child, and showed the race traitor, Oriana, that her way was false!

Vespera shall fall, and all of Great Caelum will be mine. Gaea trembles beneath our march; the Stars, our progenitors themselves clear a path for us. All that fail to bow will fall, and all others, who would trade their birthright for the ill-begotten, will be punished for their heresy. And, behold, when the time comes that our throne is made of the earth, all the Stars will sing of my glory, for I have saved their lost and perplexed children. I will be as a steward unto the Stars, and all who oppose shall know me ill met and merciless.

We now rise upon the earth, just as a storm rises on the horizon, to snuff out the illusions of the weak and dismantle their false sovereignty.

They can no longer hide behind fairy tales. They shall be purged.

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This next piece is another letter from Elysian royalty. Eventide's eldest son, Silverlight wrote this as an order to his brother, Sentinel.

Based on context, the letter is about seven-hundred years old, and corresponds with the year that Eventide's youngest son, Prince Nova, was born.

This may very well be the order that began the horror stories of Deimos Island.

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Age of Celaeno, 260 Lustra.

To my dearest brother,

Deimos Island is now a forsaken land. Father has forbade anymore attempts to claim it from those that dwell there. We are to spread tales of its cursed nature. From hence forth, a darkness dwells there. It is to be a land of fear and death.

As for why we do not send our collective there, we shall not say. If we are to fear it, then so shall those within our dominions. And they will not question it.

Now, were it up to me, you know I would send the whole of our military might there to snuff this flame before it spreads. Unfortunately, it is not, and I will not question Father on his decision to forsake the island. It's best if you do not question him as well, for he has, well... the situation has him highly distraught. He went to see Aurora two nights ago, but has not returned from the Royal Prison.

Mother is troubled by this, as am I.

Regardless, you are to now focus your efforts on Tauregia. We are to take the kingdom by the end of the year. That should appease Father well enough.

Tread the Pure Path, brother.

                                                                                                                                    ~ Silverlight, Crown Prince of Elysium

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